Written by: Salma Al-Saqqa
French President Emmanuel Macron is heading on an official tour that includes several Gulf countries, with the aim of strengthening strategic and economic partnerships and securing additional fuel and oil supplies for the French market, amidst a domestic crisis related to rising living costs, energy prices, and pressure from the French street regarding fuel prices.
Gulf tour stops
The French President's upcoming tour includes Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, as well as the final stop in Qatar, all of which are considered strategic partners for France. These diplomatic visits aim to discuss ways to secure additional volumes of oil and diesel supplies, contributing indirectly to easing pressure on prices and reducing fuel costs for consumers. The presidential delegation is accompanied by senior executives from two French energy giants, TotalEnergies and Engie, to support efforts aimed at ensuring energy supply stability and expanding the horizons of economic cooperation.
Challenges of global energy markets
These diplomatic and economic moves come in light of the significant pressures currently facing global energy markets as a result of ongoing geopolitical tensions, including challenges related to navigation in vital shipping lanes, as well as securing infrastructure and major oil export terminals. Through these intensive moves, France seeks to take proactive measures to diversify energy sources and avoid any potential shortages in gas, diesel, and fuel sector supplies until the end of this year, amidst anticipation regarding the success of these efforts in extracting specific supply commitments.
